<p>Christian colleges have a lot of people with liberal beliefs at them. Many students are surprised when they pick a Christian college with strict policies and find out that there are gay students and students that do drugs and drink. On the surface you won’t know any of this is happening because people don’t broadcast it but when you build close relationships and community you will find it out. People will share these things with their friends and people are often vary accepting of their friends even if they are not fans of their actions or choices. It really doesn’t matter if you are at Pepperdine, Westmonth, Wheaton, Liberty, or even Pensecola Christian. </p>
<p>Sometimes when you say you are a Christian and don’t want to be surrounded by people that are judgmental or overly conservative, what you are really saying is you are affraid you will be surrounded by what you see as uptight people in your church whom you can’t relate to. Yes, these schools will have kids that were homeschooled and very conservative but most of them will come from public high schools or private Christian schools that they only attended because their parents didn’t want them in the public schools. It is kind of like the catholic school: just because a catholic school may be taught by nuns and friars doesn’t mean the students aren’t out getting drunk every thursday night.</p>
<p>You should be fine and develop a good group of friends at any of those schools.</p>
<p>Yeah, I live in SC, and Furman is a great school! It was founded on Baptist beliefs, but does not really continue to make them pervade every aspect of the school. Though founded on Baptist beliefs and Christian teaching, I wouldn’t consider it to be a Christian college today. Furman is still a wonderful school though! Check into it!</p>
<p>Also, check into Belmont University in Nashville, TN. It is a private, small Christian school, but it is located near the city of Nashville, which isn’t exactly super-conservative. The city is rooted in a conservative way, with an essence of “southern charm”, but I feel like the music/art/culture of Nashville balances it out and makes it more liberal. I am looking into Belmont because I’m a Christian who wants to be in a Christian environment, but I don’t want to feel like I am being caged in (like I’m still in a middle school or high school). I want the freedom to explore and make my own path. I toured and absolutely fell in love with it too! I’d encourage you to check it out!</p>
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<li><p>It’s not particularly small with 6,000 students.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s IN the city of Nashville, in a residential area, a few blocks from Vanderbilt and Music Row. Lots of very cool places … shops, eateries, etc. w/in easy walk distance. The campus is being refurbished and expanded, just completing a massive new law school bldg. BU has one of the nicest student/events complexes anyplace, as they have both a lower-end big time basketball program (made the NCAAs for several seasons now, played Kansas, Duke, etc) … AND an even bigger time music school and a separate music-business school. Very unique, interesting place. In addition to law, the U also has a handful of highly competitive health-care grad programs in pharmacy, OT, PT, nursing, social work. Many big-time musicians have gone to Belmont. A beautiful campus. There are also a number of “softer” grad school components. The split is about 5,000 undergrads and 1,000 grads. It provides a great Christian counter to the totally anti-Christian culture of Vandy.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s pervasively if more subtley than some others Christian, but having broken from the Southern Baptist denomination. They have a spectacular Christian lecture series with big names. And in that vein, they also have a nationally televised Christmas concert. For better or otherwise, depending on one’s POV, Belmont is not dogmatic in its presentation of Christianity into its curriculum and campus.</p></li>
<li><p>One of its assets and consequent weaknesses is that it is one of the fastest growing private and/or Christian U’s in the country</p></li>
<li><p>Nashville is indeed one of the absolute coolest places on the planet, running fast on all cylinders with lots of opportunity, unlike too many metro areas that have seen and will increasingly see decline. This is boom town thanks to many clean industries including state govt.</p></li>
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<p>We all suffer from mediocre educations. Some more than others. The thing that makes the diff, is whether we’re willing to work to change that. And even before that, recognizing and confessing our ignorance. Keep working. I am.</p>
<p>And reading. It’s flattering. Would you like my blog? </p>
<p>I actually discovered Furman by accident :)</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice. I have never heard if Belmont, but I will check it out.</p>
<p>Furman sounds just like what I have been looking for. They still have plenty of service opportunities and many Christian fellowships without being doctrinal instead of “liberal arts-y”. I imagine some people will be partying and doing drugs, but probably many won’t, so that I will be able to find my niche.</p>
<p>Furman’s a gorgeous campus, benefitting from financial largesse allowing the U to escape the bonds of its previous location in a then worn-out Greenville, and be re-located 50 years or so ago onto a carefully planned, beautifully built campus that looks more like a convent or a country club than a college. </p>
<p>An institution of fine repute. But let’s be clear, while there are many Christians and some left-overs of Furman’s Baptist legacy, it is as secular as can be. The real influence for Christians attending is that it is located in the heart of the Bible belt, a very good thing for those valueing the Gospel and Scriptures in guiding their lives. Were it in Connecticut or Mass? There’d be little or no vestage of such. It’s merely coincidental to geography that constrains the train rushing toward the culture’s godlessness. Furman’s aboard that Titanic vessel, but toward the caboose. </p>
<p>Furman’s a haven for poor little rich kids, giving generous FA to those aspiring students not fitting that bill. And despite admitting and funding willing minorities, segregation remains a reality at this collegiate country club. </p>
<p>It’s regional competitors tend to be Wofford, Charleston, Emory to a lesser degree. Furman’s a “Southern” school, thru and thru. Emory could easily be mystically morphed into downtown Manhattan without missing a beat.</p>
<p>But in sum, inferring Furman as a Christian college is really pretty ridiculous, imo.</p>
<p>Regarding Belmont Univ., we have a young friend who went there for one semester. He’s not a Christian but has many Christian friends. He was interested in their music production program. He found that at least three of his dorm mates were either kicked out or suspended for drinking. Most college campuses, Christian or secular, have subcultures of drinking and partying-just something to be aware of.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why he came home but perhaps the culture and environment weren’t to his liking (and it could be that he just missed home, which was across the country).</p>
<p>OP, you have probably made your applications already. You must be from So. California, judging by the schools you mention. I know people at each of the schools and they all are very happy. The schools have different vibes though - particularly Pepperdine, which is more “southern california glitz” and has more off-campus partying. I hope you can get in some visits.</p>
<p>I’m not sure which of them has statements of faith and behavior to sign: I know Westmont does for sure. For physical beauty, Westmont, Point Loma, and Pepperdine are particularly lovely. All have mandatory chapel though the required amount varies.</p>
<p>Franko, great insight and astute observation! </p>
<p>I think Hunt’s right. Poor GolfDaddy simply cannot help himself. He reads my posts carefully, and finds my views of many things tough to understand, especially my views of orthodox Christianity and knowledge of higher education. It’s just tough for him, and I wish I could help. </p>
<p>And Hunt too, who just cannot contain her affection for me. These two love picking and piling on poor ol’ Piggy! But don’t worry! I can handle it. And when someone disagrees, no big deal. I suspect that GolfDaddy and Hunt hang here and follow my posts closely because they enjoy the vibrancy and expanding their minds. And I’m confident they both learn from it all. For sure, I make a difference for them, as Hunt has so generously noted with her explanation.</p>
<p>More to the more important point, I’m confident for anyone wishing to learn about Christian colleges and university and higher education in general, and can read, you’ll figure it out quickly about these kind folks and poor, dumb ol’ Whistle Pig, who’s just trying to get along. Doing my best. Stick with me, and I promise you’re understanding will be enhanced and your thinking more critical in capability. And THOSE are 2 things of value for us all! :biggrin: Go get 'em! Blessings! Jesus loves you! Guaranteed! </p>
<p>P.S. And he even loves GolfDaddio and Hunt! And me! Thank God!</p>
<p>Whistle Pig, the Bible does not preach a certain political perspective. I do not understand why a “Christian” like you would harp so much on your ideological viewpoints that have NOTHING, in many cases, in common with Jesus’s teachings.</p>
<p>Notwithstanding your forays into political territory, though, I think you have a lot of good observations about the colleges you describe.</p>
<p>To the OP: You might look for colleges driven by a strong honor code (which may be secular or Christian), as well as those that celebrate their religious traditions in other ways. For example, if you are willing to venture outside CA, St. Olaf or St. John’s in Minnesota come to mind. Both have fantastic choral music programs. You wouldn’t have to sing in a choir but you would certainly benefit from the opportunity to hear uplifting music on a regular basis.</p>
<p>btw, I really don’t think GolfDaddy’s problems have anything to do with me, altho as noted, he struggles with my truths and opinions. More so, I suspect he’s just an angry fella, notably about his nagging guilt of what Christ has done for him, and he goes out and worships that God by playing 18 on Sunday mornings. Truly, I think this is the answer, Franko. No joke. He’s mad at himself, and needs to consider Christ’s message of forgiveness.</p>
<p>Sally, I would disagree. Politics is simply those things of the polity, i.e. people. The Bible is about God’s relationship with His people. It’s the purest of politics, and lends great insight into how we should behave toward others. I’d guess you’ve not recognized this truth, but it’s pure politics. The box you’ve put God into doesn’t fit. Way too confining.</p>
<p>As for my knowledge of higher education and notably Christian higher ed? I’ve forgotten more than most will ever know. Just saying. Get into a really good Bible study, maybe. Alpha Course or something like it. It’ll help. </p>
<p>And btw, while not for this forum, you’ve exposed a common misconception, i.e. that Jesus was somehow this neutered independent libertarian who would never discuss sex, politics, or … even religion. lol That would be a most intriguing examination that you’d enjoy. Me too.</p>
<p>So you are a Dominionist. That explains a lot. I encourage others to read up on this particular faction of Christianity. I do not think it is at all what the OP is seeking, though.</p>
<p>Is that like a dominatrix?:eek: A juvenile from Virginia? </p>
<p>I’ll take the bait that you may enlighten readers. I’ve not a clue. Color me dumb. Can you 'splain some Sally gal what you’re talking about? With baited breath, I await your analysis and explanation. </p>
<p>And to the OP, what do you think he/she’s seeking? </p>
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These two love picking and piling on poor ol’ Piggy! But don’t worry! I can handle it. 
And when someone disagrees, no big deal. I suspect that GolfDaddy and Hunt hang here and follow my posts closely because they enjoy the vibrancy and expanding their minds. And I’m confident they both learn from it all. For sure, I make a difference for them, as Hunt has so generously noted with her explanation.</p>
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